Proudly bearing the name of the wife of one of the original founding brothers - Petter Olsen, Bolette has a historic connection to the Olsen family. Exuding classic, elegant style in her exterior and interior design, and featuring spacious and comfortable public areas, as well as just 690 cabins, our flagship leads our fleet of smaller ships by example.

She can travel at high speeds, enabling us to reach destinations quicker, meaning our journey planners can craft itineraries that include more visits to ports and places on even our shorter cruises, and more time sailing the most scenic routes.

Bolette provides guests with plenty of space to relax within the bars, lounges, theatres and out on the open decks. The Observatory is where you can enjoy the scenic cruising through large panoramic windows. The Auditorium hosts cooking demonstrations as well as specialist enrichment talks and evening movie nights. Up on deck eight, you’ll find our Lido Bar and swimming pool. The retractable roof means you can enjoy a swim year-round, wherever you’re cruising. And of course, with friendly staff providing our typical level of personal, attentive service, there’s an intimate feel to the on board experience too.

Gratuities for our dedicated service team are not included in the cost of your holiday. While tipping is entirely at your discretion, we pride ourselves on the service offered to our guests, and are confident that you’ll wish to reward staff on board for the attention you receive.

Typically, gratuities are charged at £5.00 per person, per day for guests aged 12 and over. This amount is split equally between your stewardess and restaurant waiter, and will be automatically added to your on board account. While very much appreciated, these gratuities are voluntary, and therefore can be adjusted or removed completely at Guest Services on board the ship if you wish; and you are welcome to tip personally if you prefer.

For your convenience, you can also pre-pay gratuities before your cruise. We'll check with you at the time of booking if you’d like to pay prior to your cruise.

Pre-payment can be made anytime up to 5 days before departure by simply calling our Guest Services team on 0800 0355 145 or e-mail guest.services@fredolsen.co.uk

Our Guest Services team are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

You’ll find a range of cabins and suites on board Bolette, so you can choose the cabin type, layout and price to suit you and find your perfect home-from-home. We've thought of everything to ensure your time on board with us is as enjoyable, relaxing and carefree as possible.

SUITES

Offered with our compliments on all our Suites, our Suite Dreams package includes benefits, extras and little luxuries that make your time on board even more special. 

Dining in our elegant restaurants and dining venues is a high point of every Fred. Olsen cruise. There are deliciously-tempting dishes – expertly crafted by our chefs – on offer throughout the day, presented with the personal touch of Fred. Olsen's famous on board service. 

Fred. Olsen’s team of talented chefs are passionate about creating great food. Their vibrant choice of dishes means you can enjoy everything from British favourites to exciting new tastes from around the world and specialities from the destinations you are visiting.

On board bakers and pastry chefs ensure freshly made breads, pastries, cakes and biscuits are available each day.

Sommeliers are on hand to help you choose the perfect wine or champagne to accompany their meal and they love to create signature cocktails from the regions being visited.

Main restaurants:

The elegant main restaurants are at the heart of the Fred. Olsen dining experience and are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Every evening, enjoy a delicious five-course à la carte menu. Changing daily, guests will find options including steaks, seafood, freshly made soups, pasta and salads. They also feature regional dishes, so you will have the chance to experiment with local cuisines alongside their usual favourites.

For a more relaxed experience, guests can visit the buffet restaurant where they will find a delicious choice of freshly prepared options each day.

Speciality restaurants:

Colours & Tastes – Fred. Olsen’s Colours & Tastes restaurant features a tempting variety of Asian Fusion dishes, from spiced grilled meats and seafood to gyozas, dim sum and sushi. Located on board Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.

Vasco - Named after the famous explorer Vasco Da Gama, Vasco offers a fresh and modern take on Indian cuisine. The menu is inspired by their chefs from Goa and focuses on the unique culinary traditions of this area – a place where the tastes of Europe first met the tropical warmth and spices of western India. Located on board Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.

A Fred. Olsen cruise is about making the most of your time away from it all. This is why we provide a variety of experiences, events and classes for our guests, to ensure that every day enjoyed on board our smaller ships is as rewarding, varied and memorable as possible.

Activities vary from cruise to cruise, and are highlighted each day in your copy of The Daily Times. They could include insightful lectures from expert guest speakers; engaging arts and crafts sessions, such as watercolour tutorials; dancing and singing lessons; and much more.

On Bolette and Borealis, cookery demonstrations from our expert chefs showcase their skills and teach you how to make your favourite Fred. Olsen dishes at home.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Lots of our guests like to use their sea days or longer voyages to try their hand at something they haven't done before, so we host sociable activities like learning to play the ukulele or singing in a choir. Or you can refine your craft skills, practice your watercolours and learn some photography skills in our new Olsen Art Studio.

A Fred. Olsen cruise is about making the most of your time away from it all, this is why we provide a variety of experiences, events and classes for our guests all detailed in your Daily Times.

Bar & Lounge

With fewer people on board our smaller, more intimate fleet, it's easy to find live entertainment to enjoy, a bar stool to perch on as you chat with new-found friends or a quiet spot to relax in peace with a drink and a good book. 

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

Night time entertainment is a high point of any Fred. Olsen cruise. When the lights go down, we’ll treat you to a selection of live shows ranging from music and cabaret to quick-fire stand-up comedy. Just relax, sit back and enjoy the fabulous acts with your favourite tipple or cocktail.

Following the show, you can stroll under the stars on deck, or dance the night away to tunes performed by your ship's resident band. And with our fabulous Dance Hosts, no-one goes too long without a dance partner.

DINING AND DRINKS

Dining on board a Fred. Olsen ship is a real pleasure. Enjoy a cocktail in one of our stylish bars, with new found friends; before heading to dinner for a delicious five-course meal crafted by our talented on board chefs, who pay attention to every detail, and served by your knowledgeable and friendly waiter. With wine pairing suggestions made by our sommelier, your taste buds will be tantalised as you sail serenely to your next exciting destination.

You'll find that there's plenty to keep you entertained during the day on board Bolette, whether you prefer to while away the hours relaxing or engaging your body and mind. The ship's facilities include two swimming pools, two jacuzzis and an impressive spa with a Thermal Spa, Aroma Room, Hydro Pool, two saunas and nine treatment rooms, while there are tennis and basketball courts and a Demonstration Theatre – which hosts fantastic cookery classes and demonstrations – too.

The ship's facilities include two swimming pools, two jacuzzis and an impressive spa with a Thermal Spa, Aroma Room, Hydro Pool, two saunas, nine treatment rooms, tennis and basketball courts.

Children of 6 months and over are very welcome on our ships. On peak-time holiday cruises, our Little Skippers Club keeps kids between 5 and 11 years old entertained with a variety of fun activities. They will enjoy arts and crafts, discos, treasure hunts and loads more, all run by our friendly team of hosts and hostesses*.

A list of the day's events are included in the Little Skippers Club's mini-version of the Daily Times, which also shows the separate pool times for kids. Activities also stretch across the evenings, to suit the individual needs of families on board. Please note: our Little Skippers Club also welcomes children under 5, however parents must provide supervision at all times. The club operates subject to minimum numbers being achieved.

*All of our Little Skippers Club hosts are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. 

**Please note we will not be operating any Little Skippers clubs aboard our Welcome Back sailings this summer. This is because cruising restart guidelines require all guests, including children, to remain in their household or dining bubbles on board.